At regional machinery exhibition with his wife, Darryl Lush took a test drive on a new Fendt 626 Favourit and thought “someday I want to have this Fendt on my farm”. That was some 30 years ago.

Fendt produced only 65 Favorit 626 models, with an estimated six units exported to Australia. Two of these tractors would end up at Darryl’s 2200 hectare property near Gunnedah, northern NSW.

Darryl grows wheat, canola, sorghum and cotton and also operates a small construction business undertaking earthworks mainly in the region, but from time to time has ventured as far as Melbourne. It was this business that first introduced Darryl to Fendt tractors – he has been hooked ever since.

Finding a tractor that was be suitable for his business proved difficult. After approaching several other manufacturers with little success, fortuitously, a neighbor suggested Darryl take a look at Fendt. A suggestion that had lasting result.

Darryl’s first Fendt was a Favourit 612 LS, which gave him many years of faithful service. His next,was the first of two Favorit 626 LS. The 626 gave him the edge over many of his competitors in construction.

“On large construction sites I would have some friendly competition with other operators, but at the end of the day the 626 would always be more capable” He said proudly.

Today, Both Darryl and his 626 put in fewer hours, pulling a chaser bin during harvest and occasionally small construction jobs in the local area.

“I am very attached to my 626 Favorit, but if someone makes me a good offer, enough that I could buy a new 900 Vario, I would probably be weak,” laughs Darryl.